Interspecific tree named ‘Flavor Jewel’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree. The following features of the 6 year old tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consists of the following combination of desirable features: 
     1. Heavy and regular fruit production in the late maturity season. 
     2. Fruit with an attractive red skin color. 
     3. Fruit with firm flesh, having very good storage and shipping quality. 
     4. Fruit with very good flavor and eating quality. 
     5. Vigorous, upright growth habit. 
     6. Fruit with high Brix of 18.3°, with good balance between acid and sugar.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuingplant-breeding program including the organization and asexualreproduction of orchard trees, and of which almonds, apples, pears,plums, peaches, nectarines, apricots, cherries and interspecifics areexemplary. It was against this background of our activities that thepresent variety of interspecific tree [(Prunus salicina×(Prunussalicina×Prunus armeniaca))×Prunus salicina] was originated andasexually reproduced by us in our experimental orchard located nearModesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

Prior Varieties

Among the existing varieties of plum trees which are known to us, andmentioned herein, are ‘Friar’ Plum (non-patented), ‘King David’ Plum(non-patented), ‘Mariposa’ Plum (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,111), ‘Ebony’Plum (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,049) and ‘Red Beaut’ Plum (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 2,539).

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The present new variety of interspecific tree [(Prunus salicina×(Prunussalicina×Prunus armeniaca))×Prunus salicina], was originated by us inour experimental orchard, located near Modesto, Calif., as a seedlingfrom an open pollinated interspecific seedling which originated from afirst generation cross between proprietary lines of the immediateparents with the field identification numbers 48ED292 and 105GD55. Thematernal parent 48ED292 originated from an open pollinated seedling of‘King David’ Plum (non-patented) crossed with a plumcot derived from a‘Red Beaut’ Plum (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,539) crossed with an apricot ofunknown parentage. The pollen parent 105GD55 derived as a seedling fromcrosses between the plum parents ‘Friar’ Plum (non-patented), ‘Mariposa’Plum (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,111) and ‘Ebony’ Plum (U.S. Plant Pat. No.2,049). We planted and grew a large number of these seedlings on theirown root system and, under close and careful observation, we recognizedthe desirable fruit characteristics of the present variety and, in 1995,selected it for asexual propagation and commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

Asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of interspecifictree was by budding to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), asperformed by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto,Calif., and shows that reproductions run true to the original tree andall characteristics of the tree and its fruit are established andtransmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present variety of interspecific tree [(Prunus salicina×(Prunussalicina×Prunus armeniaca))×Prunus salicina] is of large size, vigorous,upright growth and a regular bearer of large, firm, late maturing fruitwith very good flavor and eating quality. The fruit is furthercharacterized by holding firm on the tree 7 to 10 days after maturity,being relatively uniform in size throughout the tree and havingexcellent storage and shipping quality, having an attractive red skincolor and having high soluble solids of 18.3° Brix. In comparison to‘Friar’ Plum (non-patented), the new variety is cordate in shape withred skin color, compared to an oblate shape, with blue black skin colorand the new variety is approximately 2 weeks later in maturity. Incomparison to the ‘Ebony’ Plum (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,049), the newvariety is cordate in shape compared to a round shape and is red in skincolor compared to a deep purple blue color.

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE VARIETY

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new interspecific variety. Theillustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, anexterior and sectional view of a fruit divided in its suture plane toshow flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place. Thephotographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked (shippingripe) and the colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in acolor representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ofinterspecific tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based onobservations of 6 year old specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., withcolor in accordance with Munsell Book of Color.

Tree:

Size.—Large, normal for commercial interspecific tree varieties. Usuallypruned to 3 to 3.5 meters in height and width for economical harvestingof fruit.

Vigor.—Vigorous. Growth of 1.5 to 2 meters in height the first growingseason. Varies with fertility of soil, climatic conditions and culturalpractices.

Form.—Upright. Usually pruned to vase shape to increase sunlight tocenter of tree.

Branching habit.—Upright. Crotch angle approximately 25°. As treematures, crop load increases crotch angle.

Productivity.—Productive. Usually set ½ to more times fruit desired.Thinning and spacing of fruit required.

Bearer.—Regular. Has had adequate fruit set 4 consecutive years. Noalternate bearing observed.

Fertility.—Self-sterile, pollenizer required.

Density.—Medium dense. Usually center branches are removed to create avase shape to allow more sunlight to center of tree to enhance fruitcolor, Brix and health of fruit bearing wood.

Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of California.Approximate winter chill of 800 hours at or below 45° F.

Trunk:

Size.—Medium to large. Average circumference 45.7 cm at 24.1 cm aboveground.

Stocky.—Medium.

Surface.—Medium shaggy, roughness increases with age of tree.

Color.—5Y 4/2 to 5Y 6/2.

Branches:

Size.—Medium to large. Average circumference 16.4 cm at 1.5 meters fromground.

Surface texture.—New growth smooth. Mature growth medium rough,roughness increases with age of branch.

Lenticels.—Numerous, average 89 in a 25.8 square cm surface. Averagelength 4 mm. Average width 1.3 mm. Color 2.5YR 6/12.

Color.—New growth 2.5GY 7/8 to 2.5GY 6/8. Old growth 5YR 3/4 to 5YR 4/4,varies with age of growth.

Leaves:

Size.—Medium to large. Average length 119.9 mm. Average width 47.5 mm.

Form.—Oblanceolate, apex acuminate, base cuneate.

Margin.—Serrate.

Thickness.—Medium.

Surface.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slightly indented over midriband leaf veins, glabrous. Lower surface relatively smooth, small ridgescreated by midrib and pinnate venation, glabrous.

Petiole.—Average length 15 mm. Average width 2 mm. Groovedlongitudinally, glabrous. Color 5GY 9/4 to 7.5R 3/10, varies withexposure to sunlight.

Glands.—Reniform. Small. Average length 0.9 mm. Average width 0.4 mm.Average number 2. Color 5GY 8/6. Located on upper portion of petiole andlower portion of leaf blade.

Color.—Upper surface 5GY 3/6. Lower surface 5GY 5/4. Midvein color 5GY9/4.

Flower buds:

Size.—Medium to large. Average length 10.1 mm. Average diameter 4.0 mm.

Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of California. Grownin USDA Hardiness Zone 9.

Form.—Conical, becomes oblong before opening.

Pedicel.—Average length 11.4 mm. Average width 0.6 mm. Color 2.5GY 8/6.

Color.—N9/0.5.

Number of buds per spur.—Usually 15, varies from 7 to 25.

Flowers:

Size.—Medium to large, showy. Average height 12.6 mm. Average diameter19.9 mm.

Petals.—Number — 5, alternately arranged to sepals. Shape — orbicular,narrows at point of attachment. Average length 10.1 mm. Average width8.9 mm. Color — N9/.5. Margin — entire, slightly cupped or clawed nearapex. Both surfaces glabrous.

Sepals.—Number — 5, alternately arranged to petals. Shape — ovate, apexrounded. Average length 2.5 mm. Average width 2.4 mm. Both outer andinner surfaces glabrous. Color — upper surface 2.5GY 8/8. Lower surface2.5GY 8/8.

Stamens.—Average of 42 per flower. Average filament length 7.5 mm.Filament color 2.5GY 9/2. Anther color 1.25Y 8/16.

Pollen.—Abundant, self-sterile, pollenizer required. Color — 1.25Y 8/16.

Pistil.—Usually 1. Average length 10.9 mm. Glabrous. Stigmaapproximately 2.2 mm below anthers. Color 2.5GY 9/2.

Fragrance.—Moderate.

Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Feb. 25, 2001. Date of Petal FallMar. 7, 2001. Varies slightly with climatic conditions.

Color.—N9/0.5.

Number of flowers per flower bud.—Usually 2, varies from 1 to 3.

Pedicel.—Average length 12.4 mm. Average width 0.7 mm. Color 2.5GY 7/6.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.—Firm ripe.

Date of first picking.—Aug. 12, 2001.

Date of last picking.—Aug. 18, 2001. Varies slightly with climaticconditions.

Size.—Large. Average diameter axially 66 mm. Average transversely insuture plane 70.2 mm. Average weight 158.7 grams. Average weight variesslightly with fertility of the soil, amount of thinning and climaticconditions.

Form.—Cordate.

Suture.—Shallow, extends from base to apex.

Ventral surface.—Nearly smooth, only very slightly lipped.

Apex.—Rounded.

Base.—Retuse.

Cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane. Average depth 3.3mm. Average diameter 5.6 mm.

Stem:

Size.—Medium. Average length 14 mm. Average diameter 1.9 mm.

Color.—5YR 4/6 to 5YR 3/6.

Flesh:

Ripens.—Evenly.

Texture.—Firm, meaty.

Fibers.—Few, small, tender.

Firmness.—Firm, comparable to ‘Friar’ Plum (non-patented), firmer than‘Mariposa’, Plum (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,111) at same stage of maturity.

Aroma.—Slight.

Amydgalin.—Undetected.

Eating quality.—Very good.

Flavor.—Very good. Good balance between acid and sugar.

Juice.—Moderate amount, enhances flavor.

Brix.—18.3°. Varies slightly with amount of fruit per tree and climaticconditions.

Color.—2.5Y 8/6 to 2.5Y 8/8 toward center of fruit, darkening near skinto 7.5R 4/12 to 7.5R 4/14. Pit cavity color — 2.5YR 6/10.

Skin:

Thickness.—Medium, normal for commercial interspecific and plumvarieties.

Surface.—Smooth.

Bloom.—Heavy, complete coverage.

Tendency to crack.—None.

Color.—Ground color 10YR 8/8 to 10YR 8/10, nearly overspread with 7.5R5/16 to 7.5R 4/16. Very small, randomly spaced areas of ground colorshowing, leaving a speckling pattern to the surface in most areas of theskin.

Tenacity.—Tenacious to the flesh.

Astringency.—Undetected.

Stone:

Type.—Clingstone.

Size.—Medium to large. Average length 24 mm. Average width 17.9 mm.Average thickness 8.9 mm.

Form.—Ovate.

Base.—Rounded to flat.

Apex.—Acuminate. Average length varies from 1.9 mm to 2.3 mm.

Surface.—Very lightly pitted throughout, 3 to 4 small, narrow ridgesrunning from base toward apex, approximately ⅓ the length of the stone.One small, shallow groove on each side of suture.

Sides.—Mostly equal, some unequal with one side extending further fromsuture plane.

Ridges.—Small, relatively smooth.

Tendency to split.—None.

Color.—10YR 8/6 to 10YR 7/6 , when dry.

Kernal:

Form.—Ovate, apex acute.

Taste.—Bitter.

Viability.—Viable. Embryo fully developed.

Size.—Average length 16.3 mm. Average width 10.1 mm. Average thickness5.1 mm.

Skin color.—2.5Y 8/6, when dry.

Use: Dessert. Market — local and long distance.

Keeping quality: Excellent, held firm in cold storage 3 weeks at 38° to42° F. without shriveling, internal breakdown of flesh, wooliness orloss of eating quality.

Shipping quality: Excellent, showed minimal skin scarring or fleshbruising during picking, packing or shipping trials.

Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing forrelative plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has beendesigned. Under close observation during planting, growing andharvesting of fruit, under normal cultural and growing conditions nearModesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease resistance orsusceptibility has been observed. Any variety observed during indexingof plant characteristics with abnormal fungus, bacterial, virus orinsect susceptibility is destroyed and eliminated from our breedingprogram.

The present new variety of interspecific tree, its flowers, foliage andfruit herein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soilconditions and cultural practices under which the variety may be grown.The present description is that of the variety grown under theecological conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct interspecific tree, substantially asillustrated and described, characterized by its large size, vigorous,upright growth and being a productive and regular bearer of large, firm,clingstone fruit maturing in the late maturity season, with very goodflavor and eating quality; and in comparison to the fruit of one of itsparents ‘Friar’ Plum (non-patented), the new variety is cordate in shapewith red skin color, compared to oblate shape with blue black skin colorand is approximately 2 weeks later in maturity.